Our Mission is to provide a low cost sober living environment and recovery services to individuals with a chemical addiction who desire a safe, sober, supportive atmosphere in which to strengthen personal recovery and prepare for a health reentry into society.
Founded in June of 1990 by members of the recovery community, H.O.W. House is the miracles of a dream come true. This event was the culmination of a plan started months before born out of the frustration of seeing men go through primary treatment for 30 days and emerging with the rudiments of sobriety only to return to living conditions that immediately put their sobriety in danger. It was believed that if these men were able to reside in a safe, sober, supportive living environment, their opportunities for successful recovery would dramatically improve. This plan worked well.
Since our inception, we have helped over 1000 men. Through informal sources we have established that thirty five per cent of these individuals have maintained their sobriety and an improved lifestyle, i.e., increased employment, improved family relations and financial status, decreased criminality, decreased health consequences. These outcomes are consistent with the 1994 “Invest in Treatment for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems” study published by the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors and the 1997 National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study - “a congressionally mandated five year study of the impact of drug and alcohol treatment on thousands of clients in hundreds of treatment units”.
Located in Whittier, H.O.W. House is licensed by the State Dept. of Alcohol and Drug Programs as a recovery home for men 18 and over. The services include sober, supportive lodging, recovery planning assistance, weekly group meetings, and monthly education sessions on some aspect of the recovery and/or the addiction process, recreational activities designed to help the resident learn how to enjoy their sobriety, and information and referrals to other recovery oriented services. Residents are housed in two man rooms and are provided with food, cleaning supplies, linens, utilities, and phone with a limited calling area, television with basic cable service, and a washer and dryer.
H.O.W. House is a working house. A resident is given one month to obtain a full time job or to start an educational or vocational program. If he is unable to work because of a doctor’s order, and does not choose to participate in an educational or vocational program, he will be expected to participate in thirty (30) hours per week of community service either for H.O.W. House or another charitable agency in the Whittier area. Each resident pays a fee for the service of $550 per month (If paid in advance. $160 if paid weekly. $285 if paid bi-weekly)
While living at H.O.W. House, all residents must attend 12 step meetings regularly, maintain abstinence, participate in weekly house meetings, and help keep the house clean. A house manager closely monitors the house. The cardinal rules of the house that will result in immediate discharge are substance abuse, violence or threats of violence, and theft. Residents may also be discharged for consistent noncompliance to other house rules. A urine drug screen may be administered to verify a residents’ abstinence. Progress reports on residents will be supplied on an as needed basis. A staff member will attend court appearances with proper notice.
Our objectives are to reinforce and strengthen the resident’s understanding and use of a recovery program and to assist them in stabilizing emotionally. The goal for each resident is that they leave the house sober, stable, employed, and able to transition into an independent living situation that continues to be supportive to their alcohol and drug free life style.
H.O.W. House is administered by C.R.C. Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt agency. Our tax-exempt number is 95-4367361. Our Board of Directors is dedicated to the maintenance of a high standard of operation and quality improvement.
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